Conductor Kent Nagano • Living the Classical Life Ep.120

"For a moment, we are allowed to see what is beyond the stars."

One of the pre-eminent musical voices of his generation, conductor Kent Nagano draws into the essence of an artist's mission. In his prolific career, he was music director of the Opéra National de Lyon, principal conductor of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester, principal conductor and artistic director of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, principal conductor and first music director of the Los Angeles Opera, music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and GMD of the Bavarian State Opera, and at the Hamburg State Opera. His reflections on his life, existential goals, and his mentors are sure to resonate long after viewing.

0:00 Opening quote and Beethoven 5 excerpt
1:06 Chiemsee travelogue and titles
2:24 Start of conversation: types of beauty
5:02 Face to face with a shark
7:35 Facing fear on stage: letting go
10:24 Growth as human beings: artists' paradox
12:18 Energy in Stillness
15:10 Carrying our mentors with us
21:51 Leonard Bernstein's presence
28:14 Defining perfection and Günter Wand's perspective
32:00 Closing credits

Episode 120 filmed July 2023 in Prien/Chiemsee, Bavaria • Running time 33 minutes
Music: Beethoven Symphony No.5 in C minor, op. 67. Staatsorchester Hamburg
Elbphilharmonie, May 6, 2021 (filmed during the pandemic, without audience).
Video: katalog-film.de

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